After reading some very good threads on composition grad school (following after this topic: http://forum.youngco...re/page__st__20 ) I decided I would add a different prospective on DMA, PhD programs.
I will also try not to be loquacious.
A lot of people have visions of getting their DMA/Ph.D in composition typically between the alleged top schools (no order: Indiana, NW, Michigan, Eastman, Juilliard.)
I would like to say that there are plenty of other schools that offer lots of scholarship money for doctorate in composition. here is a list:
University of Utah
University of Washington
UCLA
Southern California
CalArts
Louisiana State
Oklahoma
Nebraska
Memphis
Florida State
Florida
Bowling Green
Wisconsin
UMKC
Cincinnati
Brandeis
Boston U
Colorado
Arizona State
Michigan State
Temple
Texas Tech
Texas
Buffalo
South Carolina
These are all great schools that I don't hear people on here necessarily talk about. They offer a great education with wonderful teachers who can help take your skill to the next level. In addition to composition, the ensembles are excellent and the musicians are serious.
As a catch, there are even more schools that offer Master's that are DYING for people to take them.
That's a different conversation!